Battery Cell Recessed Terminal Layout for Dense Pack Assembly

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to enhance the space utilization rate of battery cells to accommodate fast charging requirements in electric vehicles without increasing the battery cell dimensions, which would occupy more space.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell design featuring recessed edges on one surface and protruding electrode terminals on an opposite surface, allowing adjacent cells to accommodate each other's terminals, thereby optimizing space usage without additional space occupation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the battery cell capacity is increased to meet fast charging requirements, then the charging speed is improved, but the battery cell dimensions increase, occupying more space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery cell volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode terminal is nested within the recess formed by the recessed edge structure. The recessed edge creates a cavity that accommodates the protruding electrode terminal, allowing the terminal to be embedded within the battery cell boundary rather than extending outward, thus increasing capacity without proportionally increasing overall volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The design transitions from a flat two-dimensional surface to a three-dimensional structure by creating a recessed edge that forms a cavity. This dimensional change allows the electrode terminal to be positioned within the recess, utilizing the vertical depth dimension to accommodate the terminal while maintaining a compact footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the battery cell dimensions are increased to accommodate higher capacity, then the energy storage is improved, but the space utilization rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidspace utilization rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode terminal is nested within the recess formed by the recessed edge structure. The recessed edge creates a cavity that accommodates the protruding electrode terminal, allowing the terminal to be embedded within the battery cell boundary rather than extending outward, thus increasing capacity without proportionally increasing overall volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The recessed edge structure merges the functions of the cell boundary and the terminal housing. The same structural feature (the recessed edge) that defines the cell boundary also creates the accommodation space for the electrode terminal, eliminating the need for separate housing structures and improving space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the electrode terminal protrudes from the battery cell surface, then the electrical connection is improved, but the space occupation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode terminal is nested within the recess formed by the recessed edge structure. The recessed edge creates a cavity that accommodates the protruding electrode terminal, allowing the terminal to be embedded within the battery cell boundary rather than extending outward, thus increasing capacity without proportionally increasing overall volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The recessed edge creates a localized cavity at the specific position where the electrode terminal protrudes. This local structural modification provides targeted accommodation for the terminal while maintaining the compact overall dimensions of the battery cell, allowing reliable electrical connection without excessive space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20230395952A1Battery cell, battery and electrical device

Publication Date: 2023.12.07 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED

AI summary

A battery cell includes a first surface, a second surface, and a first electrode terminal. A first region of an edge of the first surface is recessed to form a first recess. The second surface is configured to arrange the first electrode terminal. The first surface and the second surface are perpendicular to a first direction. The first electrode terminal protrudes from the second surface in the first direction and faces the first recess. In the first direction, a depth of the first recess is greater than a height of the first electrode terminal, and a projection area of the first recess on the first surface is greater than a projection area of the first electrode terminal on the first surface.